World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka

 
UNESCO has commenced the listing of unique creations by man or nature under the World Heritage Convention. This is known as the World Heritage list and already seven cultural sites from Sri Lanka has been inscribed in the list. This is a significant number when compared with the total number of 300 cities listed from all over the world. Those in the world heritage list from Sri Lanka are the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Medieval city of Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Water Garden and fortress, Dambulla Cave temple, Kandy Sacred city including the Dalanda Maligawa, the Old Dutch fort in Galle and the Singheraja Forest

Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage is manifested by the ancient city centers, monastic complexes, variety of edifices, splendid sculptures and beautiful paintings. Some of these are dating back to the 3rd century BC. The world recognition of these creations are reflected by the fact that seven of our ancient sites are inscribed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. 
 

Sri Lanka having had a civilization of more than 2500 years, with a long continuous monarchical rule that patronized Buddhism as a state religion, had sustained a cultural heritage that vied with many civilizations of the out side world. UNESCO Sri Lanka and the cultural triangle project; six of the great ancient cities, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dhambulla, Kandy, Galle, have been enlisted as World Heritage Sites.